Chloe hated everything about the day. She hated her stupid outfit almost as much as she hated how her mother had fawned over the police captain with the spray-on tan and too bleached teeth.
Now, she and her mom were caged in the rear seat of an LAPD patrol car like a couple of criminals. The bench ran the width of the vehicle, had no cushions, and was made of some kind of hard plastic.
Every time the cop rounded a corner, the two of them slid at least six inches on the smooth bench—in spite of their seatbelts.
There was a transparent barrier that rose from a metal divider welded behind the cushioned seats up front. The clear shield had a sliding panel in it, so if a cop wanted to talk to you, they could. The two officers had opened the window as soon as she and her mother were situated in the rear seat of the black and white.
I hope I don’t have to get used to this.
The female officer turned and spoke through the opening.
“We’ve got the air conditioning vents pointed up toward this window, but I’m afraid it may be a bit warm back there.” She smiled apologetically.
“We’re fine.”
We are not, Mom! It’s hotter than hell in here.
Her mother leaned forward so her voice would carry to the cops in the front. “You look so young to be a police officer. What did your parents think of you choosing such a dangerous profession?”
Embarrassed by her mom’s attempt to be friendly to these cops, she looked out her window while pretending not to listen.
“They were surprised,” she said. “But now they’re proud of me. At first, they tried to talk me out of it, but it was something I felt I had to do.” She shrugged. “Sometimes, you just know what’s right for you, and you have to do it whether your parents approve or not.”
“Have you been an officer long?”
Chloe jumped when the male cop responded.
“Don’t let her baby face fool you. She’s one of our best officers.”
Her mother nodded and looked at the young female. “Good for you.”
Shifting on the hard and uncomfortable seat, Chloe’s heart pounded with the thought that if she were arrested for killing the cop at the mall, she’d be subject to these dreadful surroundings and repulsive people for a very long time.
Life as she knew it would be over. All her friends would ghost her. The nightly news would show an unattractive mug shot of her, but even worse, she wouldn’t be able to have her phone. And for what? She hadn’t done anything wrong.
She had to start thinking about what was best for her. Eloy had blackmailed her. Sure, having those naughty pictures get out would be humiliating, but it was a lot better than going to prison.
This whole mess was Eloy’s fault. He’s the one who should be driven to police headquarters. But was she brave enough to make it happen?